红黏土侵蚀劣地集水区30年植被恢复中的水沙特征

为探究红黏土侵蚀劣地植被恢s复的水土保持效益,在自然降雨条件下,对红黏土区裸地对照及植被恢复的2个自然集水区进行长期降雨径流泥沙监测,得到30年的产流产沙数据.结果表明:1)植被恢复第6年裸地对照和恢复林地的产流差距显著,8年后恢复林地基本不再产沙.年内产流产沙集中在雨季4-6月,植被的减流和减沙效益分别超过40％和90％.在次降雨尺度上,植被能够显著降低径流泥沙曲线斜率,在降雨量相同的条件下减小地表产流产沙量.2)降雨过程产流产沙与降雨强度I60变化趋势一致,呈多峰型,总体上恢复区延缓产流1h以上,产流峰值减小67％ ～ 83％,中雨条件下植被延缓径流和降低产流峰值的效益最好.3)恢复林地径流中全N、全P、全K流失量分别减少54.62％、57.53％、56.46％,次降雨过程中全N和全K流失质量浓度高于全P浓度,且随径流过程波动较大.植被恢复后的红黏土集水区产流产沙及养分流失显著减少,水土流失得到有效控制.     

贵州喀斯特地区降雨强度对土壤侵蚀特征的影响

降雨对坡面产流、侵蚀过程及养分流失有重要的影响,选取我国西南喀斯特地区作为研究区域,采用人工降雨方法,研究了不同降雨强度对贵州喀斯特地区(裸地和植被覆盖小区)与土壤侵蚀特征的影响。结果表明:(1)在不同降雨强度下,裸地和植被覆盖小区初始产流时间均随降雨强度的增大产流时间提前,并且裸地和植被覆盖小区初始产流时间在不同降雨强度下差异均显著(p0.05)。(2)裸地和植被覆盖小区径流速率在5~6min之后保持稳定,径流速率均随雨强的增大而增大;不同降雨强度下,径流速率均表现为裸地植被覆盖小区。(3)裸地和植被覆盖小区输沙率变化表现为快速增大、迅速减小、缓慢减小和趋于稳定4个阶段,不同降雨强度下,输沙率均表现为裸地植被覆盖小区。(4)裸地和植被覆盖小区总径流量和总侵蚀量随雨强的增大而增大,裸地坡面各降雨强度下坡面总径流量差异均显著(p0.05),25,50mm/h降雨强度下植被覆盖小区坡面总径流量差异不显著(p0.05),相同降雨强度时总径流量表现为裸地植被;25,50mm/h降雨强度下裸地和植被覆盖小区坡面总侵蚀量差异不显著(p0.05),相同降雨强度时总径流量和总侵蚀量均表现为裸地植被覆盖小区。(5)裸地坡面侵蚀养分中DP,K~+,SEP和SEK含量均高于植被覆盖小区,其中裸地坡面侵蚀养分DP,K~+和SEK含量均显著高于植被覆盖小区(p0.05),而SEP含量二者差异不显著(p0.05)。(6)相关性分析表明降雨强度为75,100mm/h时,裸地和植被覆盖小区侵烛泥沙养分含量与泥沙流失量间的相关性明显优于降雨强度为25,50mm/h时,相同降雨条件下裸地侵蚀量与养分含量的相关系数基本高于植被覆盖小区。以上研究结果表明植被覆盖具有减沙减流、减少土壤侵蚀及养分流失等作用。     

典型黄土坡面天然草地产流产沙规律试验

通过野外模拟降雨试验,研究黄土区天然草坡的产流、产沙规律。试验设2个地类（草地和裸地）、3个降雨强度水平和3个坡度水平。结果表明：坡面初始产流时间与降雨强度呈负相关关系,与裸地相比,草地在降雨强度较大时（〉2.0 mm/min）加快坡面产流,在中（1.0-2.0 mm/min）、小等级降雨强度（〈1.0 mm/min）下则延缓产流;降雨强度较大时,裸地大坡度的产流强度随时间呈对数函数形式增长,中小等级降雨强度下的增长方式不符合这一规律;与中、小等级降雨强度不同,裸地在降雨强度较大时的产流产沙过程不一致;与裸地相比,草地的产流过程更为复杂,并不符合产流强度随时间呈对数函数形式增长的一般规律,草地产沙过程线与产流过程线的相对吻合程度受降雨强度的影响不明显。     

不同土地利用方式下片麻岩坡面养分流失规律的研究

通过室内模拟人工降雨试验,研究不同土地利用方式片麻岩坡面水土流失和养分流失特征。结果表明:谷子地、草地坡面产沙量产流量远小于裸地产沙产流量;不同土地利用方式片麻岩坡面产流产沙变化过程不同,草地、谷子地达到稳定产流的时间滞后于裸地。3种土地利用方式坡面养分流失随时间的变化过程基本相同,降雨起始各种养分浓度较高,随着时间的持续,养分流失浓度趋于稳定。不同土地利用方式下片麻岩坡面养分流失量表现为钾流失总量 > 氮流失总量 > 磷流失总量,养分流失总量与产沙产流之间有着极显著的正相关性,裸地养分流失量最大,其次是谷子地,草地的养分流失量最小,但是径流中硝态氮含量和泥沙总磷量谷子地流失量最大,裸地次之,草地最小。3种土地利用方式片麻岩坡面磷钾流失主要是泥沙态养分,氮素流失主要以溶解态氮为主或者二者共同作用。     

降雨和植被覆盖对铁路路基边坡土壤侵蚀的影响

[目的] 探究不同植被覆盖对边坡径流泥沙的削减作用,为改善道路路基边坡的植被配置,减少公路边坡的水土流失量提供科学参考。[方法] 选取江苏省南通市境内在建的南京市—启东市铁路路基为研究对象。利用坡面观测小区,选取观测期内不同降雨强度（15,28,40,63,82 mm/h）的自然降雨条件,对3种植被覆盖（灌草坡面、植草坡面和裸坡坡面）的坡面产流与产沙进行分析,揭示植被覆盖对径流和泥沙的拦蓄作用。[结果] 降雨强度对初始产流时间影响显著（p<0.05）,3种植被覆盖的初始产流时间随降雨强度的增加逐渐减少,植草坡面和草灌结合坡面相比裸坡坡面对初始产流时间的延缓作用显著。随着降雨强度的增加,3种下垫面坡面径流量均呈增大的趋势,植草和草灌结合坡面相比裸坡坡面有较好的削减坡面径流作用。试验条件下,草灌结合坡面削减率在54.20%～63.68%,植草坡面削减率在38.59%～55.37%。随着降雨强度的增加,裸露坡面所产生的泥沙量呈指数型递增,在降雨强度大于63 mm后尤为明显,由662.66 g （15 mm/h）陡增至2 002.95（82 mm/h）。植草和草灌结合坡面随降雨强度的增大产沙量增加不明显,泥沙产生量在0.9～4.9 g。[结论] 路基边坡产流产沙随着降雨强度的增大而增加,降雨对坡面产流产沙影响显著;植草坡面和草灌结合坡面相比裸坡坡面有非常明显的减少土壤侵蚀的效果。     

北京山区河岸植被的水土保持效益

通过野外简易径流小区的放水冲刷试验,研究北京山区河岸带不同植被类型水土保持效果差异。试验设计4,6,8L/min 3种上方来水流量以及6种植被类型小区坡面,冲刷历时31min,试验过程收集径流泥沙样,分析不同径流小区的产流产沙特征。结果表明:(1)各植被类型小区平均总产流产沙量(43.29L/m~2,0.71kg/m~2)均显著小于裸坡下平均总产流产沙量(65.86L/m~2,3.21kg/m~2)(p0.05)。植被具有明显的减流减沙效益,且减沙效益(78.66%)大于减流效益(36.16%);(2)不同植被类型间减流减沙效果不同,随着放水流量的上升,坡面产流速率、产沙速率不断上升,其中以狗牙根小区平均产流速率(6.16L/min)、平均产沙速率(55.50g/min)最小,水土保持效益较好;(3)不同植被类型小区稳定入渗速率差异显著(p0.05),均大于裸坡条件下的稳定入渗速率(42mm/h),其中以狗牙根小区坡面的径流稳定入渗速率最大(129.0mm/h)。综上所述,植被具有明显的蓄水保土效益,且不同的植被类型间减流减沙效果差异显著。研究结果为北京山区河岸带进行生态环境安全建设以及生态修复提供了基础理论依据,并且为河岸边坡的植被修复物种选择提供了参考依据。     

不同耕作措施对黑土坡耕地土壤侵蚀的影响

针对黑龙江省西部半干旱区土壤流失情况,在坡耕地径流小区通过野外人工模拟降雨试验,研究不同降雨强度、不同耕作措施下降雨产沙产流特征和过程。试验结果表明:降雨强度越大,对地表径流量和侵蚀量的影响越大,即雨强与径流量和泥沙量呈正相关,各种耕作措施的土壤流失顺序是顺坡垄裸地>横坡垄裸地>等高种植地>深松地>秸杆覆盖地>垄向区田地,植被覆盖地能有效控制水土流失,垄向区田地是这几种耕作措施中减少坡耕地水土流失的有效措施。     

模拟降雨条件下侧柏林地枯落物对坡面产流产沙的影响

以北京山区人工侧柏林地坡面为研究对象,基于2个2m×5m径流小区,设枯落物覆盖自然坡面与裸露坡面2种处理、大小2种雨强(126,70mm/h),通过对比分析2种处理下坡面产流产沙过程,揭示林下枯落层覆盖对北京山区坡面产流产沙的影响。结果表明:(1)与裸坡相比,枯落物覆盖自然坡面产流产沙分别减少了67.0%和90.6%,其中,减沙效益大于减水效益。(2)无论是枯落物覆盖自然坡面还是裸坡,坡面产流过程均表现为先增大后趋于稳定的变化规律,但枯落物覆盖坡面产流趋于稳定的时间较裸坡有所提前。(3)枯落物覆盖坡面70,126mm/h降雨平均产沙速率分别为2.8,80.8g/min,裸坡分别为51.4,872.7g/min,枯落物覆盖坡面产沙率显著小于裸坡(p0.05)。当地表有枯落物覆盖时,产沙速率与含沙量随产流历时均波动变化不大,坡面产沙是一个基本稳定的过程;于裸坡而言,产沙速率与含沙量在小雨强条件下呈现先增加后趋于稳定的变化规律,而大雨强条件下,两者随产流历时先急剧增加后波动降低。(4)枯落物覆盖坡面产沙量与产流量为线性关系,而裸坡产沙量随产流量的增加呈幂函数急剧上升。研究结果可为评价北京山区人工林恢复水土保持效益提供理论依据,同时增进了对北京山区林地坡面产流产沙机制的认识。     

长江中游低丘黄壤坡面地表产流产沙规律初探

通过野外人工模拟降雨试验,得出湖北省象鼻嘴小流域内2个板栗林梯地、2个花生农地(梯地、坡地各1个)径流小区在同等雨强条件下的产流产沙过程变化特征。结果显示:在水热状况、土壤、小地形等条件较一致的前提下,4个径流小区的初损雨量、历时表现为板栗梯地1板栗梯地2花生梯地花生坡地;结合各径流小区产流产沙强度及累计过程线分析得出,梯地的水土保持效果明显优于坡地,坡地的产流产沙过程更为复杂;林地在拦蓄径流、增加入渗方面要明显优于农地;板栗梯地1,2的水沙流失特征差异显示出植被盖度、物种多样性等对地表产流产沙过程也有较大影响;各场雨的累计产流、产沙量与降雨历时之间符合Y=ax2+bx+c的多项式相关方程。     

喀斯特坡地侵蚀性降雨阈值初探

喀斯特坡地表层岩溶带发育，入渗强烈，产流机制与非喀斯特坡地有较大差异，为提高喀斯特坡地土壤流失模型预测准确性，以贵州省普定县陈旗小流域6个不同土地利用类型径流小区为观测对象，分析2007—2010年、2015—2019年2期泥沙和地表径流数据，了解产流产沙规律，并利用降雨侵蚀力偏差法计算各小区侵蚀性降雨量。结果表明：(1)植被覆盖率与喀斯特坡地地表产流产沙量呈负相关，高植被覆盖下，暴雨和极端暴雨是造成喀斯特坡地水土流失的主要降雨事件；(2)植被恢复十余年随着覆盖度的提高，年均土壤流失量呈显著下降趋势，多小于10 t/km²;(3)喀斯特坡地裂隙发育，地下漏失严重，土壤量少且不易被侵蚀，除少数极端暴雨外，多数降雨不产流不产沙，因此建议将喀斯特坡地侵蚀性降雨量阈值定为50 mm,该阈值显著高于非喀斯特地区。     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.     

Einfluss der düngungsmethoden auf die entwicklung von zuckerrübenkrankheiten

Während neunjähriger (1994-2002) Untersuchungen in der Versuchsanstalt Ba?cyny (Fahlerde, Fall-Gleyboden, ausgebildet aus leichtem Lehmboden) wurde der Befall mit Krankheiten an der Zuckerrübe in Abhängigkeit von der Düngungsmethode bewertet. Folgende Methoden wurden angewendet: A - Mineraldünger, B - Stalldung und Mineraldünger, C - Stroh-, Gründung und Mineraldünger, D - Kompostdünger und Biopräparate (ökologische Düngung). Auf den Objekten A, B, C wurden bei konstanter Phosphor-Kalium-Düngung die Stickstoffgaben von 0 bis 180 kg.ha^?1 differenziert. Auf dem ökologischen Objekt D ohne Mineraldünger wurden statt Stickstoff die Biopräparate P₅₀₀ und P₅₀₁ verabreicht. Der geringste Befall von Krankheiten wurde an der Zuckerrübe auf jenem Objekt festgestellt, das mit Kompost und den Biopräparaten gedüngt worden war. Im Rahmen der konventionellen Düngungsmethoden wurde allgemein die höchste Intensität der Krankheiten an der mit Stroh, Gründung und Mineraldünger gedüngten Zuckerrübe beobachtet. Ausnahmen von dieser Regel bildete das Vorkommen von echtem Mehltau und Keimlingsfäule. Auf den Objekten A, B, C nahm die Intensität der Krankheiten mit der Steigerung der Stickstoffgabe zu. Auch die auf Objekt D verabreichten Biopräparate stimulierten die Entwicklung der Krankheiten. The effect of various fertilization methods on the diseases of sugar beet was estimated on the basis of nine-year studies (1994-2002) conducted in the Experimental Production Farm in Ba?cyny on loess-based, sedimentary-gley, light-clay soil. The following fertilization methods were applied: A - mineral fertilization, B - mineral and manure fertilization, C - straw, green manure and mineral fertilization, D - ecological compost and biodynamic preparations fertilization. In the objects A, B and C fertilized with phosphorus and potassium, various doses of nitrogen ranging from 0 to 180 kg/ha^?1 were used. In the ecological object D, where mineral fertilization was not used, biodynamic preparations P₅₀₀ and P₅₀₁ were applied instead of nitrogen. The lowest ratio of the diseases of sugar beet was observed in the object fertilized with the compost and biodynamic preparations. In view of the conventional fertilization methods, generally the highest incidence of diseases was noted in the sugar beet fertilized with straw, green manure and mineral fertilizers. The exception was the occurrence of powdery mildew and the black leg. In objects A, B and C the incidence of the diseases increased with the increase in nitrogen doses. The applied biodynamical preparations in the object D stimulated the development of diseases too.     

Prospects for control of Pythium damping-off of lettuce with Trichoderma,Gliocladium and Enterobacter spp.

Summary Damping-off of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) caused by Pythium ultimum was studied in pots containing a non-sterile potting mix in the glasshouse. Fifty P. ultimum sporangia g^-1 compost reduced the plant stand to 15% and shoot dry weight to 18%, but this reduction was totally prevented by applying Trichoderma harzianum at 2×10⁵ viable propagules g^-1 potting mix. Gliocladium virens and Enterobacter cloacae also alleviated the damping-off. E. cloacae did not adversely affect the action of the fungal antagonists. The co-existence of the bacterial and fungal antagonists was revealed on the root surface and inner surface of the testa by scanning electron microscopy, indicating the compatibility of the biocontrol agents.     

细菌、真菌及植物氮营养信号研究进展

氮素吸收代谢是所有生物生命活动的核心部分,因此,各种生物对氮的吸收与同化过程都有精细的调节。这种调节依赖于生物对体内氮素状况信号及体外（生长介质中）氮素信号的感受。过去几十年中,在细菌、真菌中已经对氮素营养信号有了较好的研究,而植物中则相对缓慢,但也有了一定的认识。本文重点比较细菌、真菌及植物中氮信号系统的组成,以期为进一步认识植物中的氮信号接受与转导系统提供启示。     

Aircraft operations near concentrations of birds in Antarctica: The development of practical guidelines

Aircraft operations have the potential to disturb and to impact negatively on bird life. A gradient of increasing behavioural response is evident in birds when exposed to increasing aircraft stimulus. The most major disturbance is likely to lead to impacts on the health, breeding performance and survival of individual birds, and perhaps bird colonies. A process of revision to policies on aircraft operations contained in management plans for a number of specially protected areas in Antarctica by the United Kingdom, accompanied by consultations made within the scientific community through the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and with operational interests through the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) resulted in new guidelines being adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties in June 2004. The principal recommendations of the guidelines are that bird colonies should not be overflown below 2000 ft (∼610 m) above ground level and landings within 1/2 nautical mile (∼930 m) of bird colonies should be avoided wherever possible. These guidelines are less stringent and less specific than those that were recommended by the SCAR specialist group on birds, and represent a compromise to accommodate operational needs. While the adoption of clear and consistent guidelines for the operation of aircraft in Antarctica is welcome in that this provides practical advice that is likely to reduce incidences of close aircraft/bird encounters, there remains insufficient knowledge of the interactions between aircraft and birds in Antarctica, and the consequent impacts on individual birds and on bird populations. It is important, therefore, that the guidelines adopted are considered interim, and should be kept under scrutiny with revisions made as new and improved research results appear.     

Potential of wild species for genetic enhancement of some semi-arid food crops

Discovery and incorporation of genes from wild species provide means to sustain crop improvement, particularly when levels of resistance in the cultigens are low and virulent strains of pests and pathogens overcome the host plant resistance. The extent of utilization and the potential of the wild genepool for genetic enhancement were reviewed in five important food crops viz. sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut grown in the semi-arid tropics. Introgression from compatible wild germplasm in the primary gene pool resulted in transfer of new cytoplasmic male sterility systems in pearl millet and pigeonpea, development of high protein, cleistogamous flower and dwarf pigeonpea lines and foliar disease resistant groundnut cultivars. Utilization of wild species in secondary and tertiary gene pools has been generally limited due to sterility, restricted recombination or cross incompatibility. Nevertheless, these species are extremely important as they contain high levels of resistance to several important biotic and abiotic stresses. Several of them, like those belonging to the Parasorghum section and the rhizomatous Arachis species are sources of multiple resistances and hold great promise to sustain crop productivity.